Thursday, February 23, 2017

Our Staff Recommends Hidden Pubs and Restaurants in Prague

In every guide you can find pubs and restaurants mostly recommended by other tourists who don't know the city very well. But the ones who were born or live in Prague knows all the great hidden pubs, tearooms, cafes and restaurants you would hardly discover as a tourist. Our staff members reveal their favorite places and invite you to join them!

ZUZANA, Guest Services

"Are you looking for a piece of America in Prague? Fancy for some hot dog or a burger? Than you should definitely try this newly opened bistro at Letna - Mr. Hotdog. Their specialities are hotdog with high quality beef or half beef-half pork sausages from a Czech farmer. You can try as well sliders-small type of burgers, a real gourmand can eat eat even three in a row. They also offer tasty fries even with interesting sauces. All of this in stylish baskets making you feel like you are in an american diner on a roadway, stopping by for a lunch on your roadtrip. But careful, if you try the Frozen Margarita, better go back home on your foot."Address: Kamenická 24, Prague 7Website: http://www.mrhotdog.cz/

MARY, Guest Services

"My favourite coffee shop. The name of the coffee shop is Letka. It is at the Letná district. It has a beautiful design and a really tasty coffee. You can sit in the window inside and during the summer spend time behind the table outside in front of Letka."

"My favourite coffee place is also in the quarter Holešovice. It is called Vnitroblock. It used to be an old factory, but now it is a place where you can have delicious coffee, homemade lemonades, soup, healthy snacks... There is also a design shop, little cinema and a dancing room. A lot of lectures or charity evenings are held here. It is not recontructed so you can see rough walls or pipes which is unusual and interesting. The atmosphere and people at this place a super nice! It is kind of hipster place."

"Favorite spot I go to quite often is the Cocktail & Music Bar Nebe at Wenceslas Square where you can get tasty cocktails and drinks for amazing prices during their happy hours between 6 and 9 pm. This place is definitely worth a visit. And for example one of the restaurants I found out about recently (certainly for burger lovers who I am) is Café Palanda with unbelievably tasty burgers and a fine interior."

"If you love Asian cuisine and sushi as much as I do and you don't want to spend too much money, you should go to Wok & Sushi, just next to the Dancing House, not far from our Residence Karolina. You need to try their Phở bò, one of the best in the city! Also their noodles, roasted duck and sweet and sour chicken are delicous."

"Since Czech Republic is a beer country I would like to recommend you a place where you can get huge variety of beers. In this pub you can get six different beers on tap (changing every week) and over two hunderds different beers in bottle. There is also very good choice of meals in the menu, which doesnt include only traditional czech cuisine. Pivovarský klub is very popular amongst locals, so its better to make a reservation there, since its crowded even during the week. By the way nextdoor there is also a shop with all the beers you can get in the pub."
Address: Křižíkova 17, Prague 8
Website: http://www.pivovarskyklub.com/index/index/lang/en

ADELA, Guest Services

"The best place where you can get good coffee and some snack or cake is Ema espresso bar which is located in city center near to train station Masarykovo nádraží. The place is not so big but it doesn´t matter, because when you try the coffee, you wouldn ´t like to taste some other. The emplyees are the best and they really undrestand coffee, how to do it and everything around that. In last weeks my top from Ema is typical czech sweet is ´buchta´ with curd cheese or plum jam. I would recommend you to buy a book Taste of Prague ( you can buy it also in Ema) and you will find there the best places where to go for good food, coffee, drinks or bakerys."

"As a beer lover I just must recommend my favorite beer pub - Zlý časy in Nusle disctrict. The beer offer is really unique - there are three bars and every day you can taste one of 48 tap beers from small and microbreweries of the Czech Republic. The name of the pub can be translated as Bad times but I have always had a great time over there. They also have delicious burgers and Czech dishes. If you stay in our Residence Karolina, just get tram no. 18 at the National Theatre and get off at the Náměstí Bratří Synků station."

"We are in the biggest city of Czechia - Prague. People here are beer and food lovers as well. I am talking about speciality coffee lovers here and trust me, we made a great way since lets say 2012 or so. People open new cafes at famous places almost every month and it is alway big! They opened a new cafe in February called Urban Café and to be completely hones with you, this place became my "home" the minute I walked in the very first time. Such an impressive urban interior and very nice people behind the bar. Enjoy your coffee!"

"Creperie U Slepé kočičky can be found on M. Horákové 38, Prague 7, just a short tram ride from Hradčanská. Their lovely home made lemonades and crepes are just delicious. I recommend to try the crepe with a plum jam, mascarpone and shredded gingerbread, as it has a bit of a Czech twist. They also offer healthier buckwheat crepes that are very nice too. They have sweet and salty versions in their offer that make a nice lunch even for a vegetarian."

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

9 Churches You Should Visit in Prague

There are many churches in Prague - old, new, tall, small, world known or unknown - and it is impossible to see them all during one visit. That's why we prepared list of 9 Prague churches you should visit or (if you don't have much time) at least see their exterior. We promise you will not regret it!

1. The Church of Our Lady beneath the Chain

This church, located in the Lesser Town close to the Charles Bridge, was originally a Romanesque basilica founded in 1169 by the King Vladislaus I. The specific name of the church "beneath the chain" comes from the medieval custom of locking the streets around the convention with chains. Interior tours are possible only by appointment but you can just peek inside through the bars almost any time during the day. Services are held on Sundays at 10 am and on Wednesdays at 5.30 pm.

2. Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord

You will need to travel to Vinohrady district to see this church but just by the picture it is obvious that this unique piece of architecture is a must see. It is located in the Jiriho z Podebrad square just next to the Jiriho z Podebrad metro station. This modern monumental building was designed by famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik, author of many other structures in Prague. Tours are available mostly before and after a mass (Monday - Saturday 8 am and 6 pm, Sunday 9 am, 11 am, 6 pm).

3. Church of Our Lady before Týn

Probably the most iconic church in Prague and a proud dominant of the Old Town Square since the 16th century. If you go to the Old Town Square you can't miss it as the towers with small spires are 80 metres tall. Even the interior of the church is truly impressive - you can see features from Petr Parler, John of Rokycan or Karel Škréta, including the oldest pipe organ in Prague (built in 1673). You can visit this church from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm, it is closed on Mondays and Sundays. You can pay voluntary entrace fee 10 CZK.

4. St. Nicholas Church in the Lesser Town

Church of St. Nicholas in the Lesser Town is one of the most important baroque structures in Europe and it is often regarded as the most beautiful building of Czech baroque. Its huge dome and a narrow tower are a prominent part of the panorama of Prague Castle. The church is 79 metres high and it was completed in 1755. Be sure to climb to the belfry for amazing views. The parish church celebrates a weekly mass every Sunday at 8.30 pm. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm in spring and summer and from 9 am to 4 pm in autumn and winter, entrace fee is 70 CZK for adults.

5. St. Nicholas Church in the Old Town

Don't be mistaken because there are two churches of St. Nicholas in Prague. The second one is located right in the Old Town Square. The construction of this Late-Gothic church was finished in 1737. The beautiful interior is open to the public and classical music concerts take place there. You can visit it from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from noon to 4 pm.

6. Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This church recognizable by its unique towers is a part of Emmaus Monastery which became a center of culture and art during the reign of Charles IV. A former church was damaged in 1945 by the US bombing, the new roof and towers were designed by Oldřich Štefan. You can notice that an optical illusion makes the south tower look higher although it is not. You can visit the monastery every weekday from 11 am to 2 pm, entrace fee is 50 CZK for adults.

7. St. George's Basilica

When you go to the Prague Castle, be sure to visit the St. George's Basilica, one of the oldest churches in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 920 and rebuilt in 1142. It is a burial place of Premyslids, a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia until 1306. The church has retained its Romanesque character from the rebuilt after the fire in 1142. The towers are 41 meters high. The church tour is a part of the Prague Castle tour (250 CZK for adults).

8. Church of Sts. Simon and Jude

This church was founded before 1632 as the part of Brothers Hospitallers's hospital (today Na Františku Hospital). As the only church in Prague it is dedicated to the apostles St. Simon and Jude. It is located in the Old Town, not far from the Jewish Quarter, in U Milosrdnych street. If you stay in our Milosrdnych Apartments you will have amazing views of this church from your living room windows. These days it serves as a concert hall for the Prague Symphony Orchestra. You can find the list of concerts and ticket prices here.

9. Church of St. Ludmila

The Church of St. Ludmila located in Vinohrady district is a famous dominant feature of the Namesti Miru square. The two towers of this neo-Gothic basilica are 60 meters high and the nave is 50 meters long. The interior is decorated with impressive paintings and ornaments, take a closer look at stained glass windows with figures of saints. Services are held every day at 4.30 pm.

Have you visited any other churches in Prague? Would you like to add your favorite Prague church to our list? We would love to hear from you! Please share your recommendations in the comments section.